history is a good thing, i said that, i just said it was irrelevant in everyday conversations.

And most people read books for the stories, not to better understand what it was like to live in a certain age. I'll look at a history book for that and get not just a single persons point of view but on actual accounts of what happened.

Sir, you have a very narrow minded view of history.

On the basis, history as relating to simple facts e.g. September 1939 Germany attacks Poland, is quite useless beyond doing well at Trivial Pursuit etc.

However, in my line of work, where I'm paid to essentially be a critical thinker, sit in strategic planning meetings etc. my background in History has given me a leg up on anyone my age. I have no formal business training, yet because of my knowledge of research and being able to analyze a situation from multiple perspectives has allowed me to become quite respected amongst my colleagues. Literature, just as well taught me this as well. Simply because something is written so, does not necessarily mean that is what is meant. Again, critical thinking (which is crucial if one wishes to have a seat at the table) is crucial.

ACGM mentioned quite well what history provides.

It's sad that you take such a narrow minded view on literature and history. It would be the equivalent of me saying that all mathematics can be narrowed down to the idea of 1+1=2.

And for the record, yes, I studied both History and English and there's not for a second that I regret that choice.

The subject itself has very little to do with how much money you will make.

If you can take any subject, understand it, believe in it, and use it to your advantage, you will find success in any given field.

Many of the richest business people in history had no formal math training, no formal business training, no nothing. But they knew how to lead and direct people. It's a trait you'll rarely ever pick up in school.

Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, you just gotta pinpoint em and use em to your advantage.

Some will be harvested in school, some in real life. You gotta balance it all out.

That's interesting ... I didn't know that. I went to a British high school in the UAE and there was A LOT of emphasis placed on grammar and spelling. We had whole sections of our O and A Level English exams dedicated to punctuation.

I went to an Irish school for grade 11 and 12 and all English was was comprehension, reading and writing essays. Spelling wasn't very important, as long as the teacher could understand what you were saying. The argument or understanding was more important.
no grammar and junk like I had in the US

Okay, Barracuda, let's get this settled. Nobody is saying that having a firm grasp of spelling and grammar is not important. Nobody. I think people are just interpreting Yusek's response differently.

Yusek responded to a specific point you made in a particular context. We are talking about a high school kid here. You then brought up english classes. If (big if) I understood Yusek correctly, he was just saying that focusing on english classes at the high school level isn't necessarily going to improve a student's spelling and grammar. That's why he said "you're right" yet also "wrong". In theory, yes, you're right that studying grammar is important, but in practice, that isn't happening IN CLASSES. You even said that you learned more on your own than from your english teacher.

.

ArmchairGM you understood my point perfectly.

Spelling and grammar are very important. I agree with 'Cuda that many students today aren't grasping good spelling and grammar. However, English class isn't the answer. They just don't focus on it all that much. Understanding the literature comes first. I spend more time helping kids with writing in comparison to many high school teachers and I'm an engineering T.A.

My girlfriend has excellent writing and she credits it to a large amount of reading as a child. English class is not the answer. In English class you can read only a few books a year.

I liked it till college. Now I can't stand it. I was a A student my whole K-12 in math and it was my favorite subject. Now I can't stand it.

Im weird when it comes to math
A's in elementary
I almost failed in my first report card in the 6th grade, then I was the best math student in the 7th
barley passed the last 2 years
it all depends on the teacher for me

Im weird when it comes to math
A's in elementary
I almost failed in my first report card in the 6th grade, then I was the best math student in the 7th
barley passed the last 2 years
it all depends on the teacher for me

Could be. I always had some really good match teachers and all 4 years in HS they were my favorite teachers. So that probably has a lot to do with it.